In theory, money that had to be loaned to a monarch, on the monarch's instruction. However, forced loans were often seen as an extra-parliamentary form of taxation.
Forced loans
Fact of the Day
The earliest book of English table manners was written by Daniel of Beccles in the time of Henry II. It prohibited elbows on tables, talking with full mouths and scratching armpits. It also gave guidance on what to do if the wife of the host were to make a pass at a guest: he should feign illness.
Quote of the Day
"A desperate disease requires a dangerous remedy.
"
~ Guy Fawkes
On This Day
1016 Cnut defeated Edmund Ironside at the Battle of Assandun, forcing Edmund to make a peace with the invading Danes: he got to keep Wessex, but the rest of England came under Danish rule. A month later, he had died of 'natural causes' so Wessex, too, went to Cnut.
1216 King John died of dysentery. He was succeeded by his nine year old son, Henry III.
1867 The US officially took possession of Alaska. It wasn't a popular decision at the time.
1922 The BBC was founded.
